Robert MacNeil, Tenor
Tenor Robert MacNeil has been praised by the Los Angeles Times for possessing a voice that is “clarion” and “clear”. After making his San Francisco Opera debut as the High Priest of Neptune in Mozart’s Idomeneo, he returned to perform in productions of Salome, Le Nozze di Figaro and in Werther, for which Opera News said Robert MacNeil “sang with panache.” Mr. MacNeil most recently performed with LA Opera in Lohengrin, after previous appearances including The Stigmatized, Fidelio, Il Trovatore, Der Rosenkavalier, Festival Play of Daniel, Tannhäuser, La Bohème and Il Tabarro. The tenor made his debut with the famed Ojai Festival under Kent Nagano in Orff’s Die Kluge and recorded the role of Martin in Copland’s opera The Tender Land, which was released on the Koch International Label.
An accomplished concert artist, the tenor has been soloist in more than sixty performances of Handel’s Messiah. He has soloed with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in performances of Elijah, the Sydney(Australia) Choral Festival in the Berlioz Requiem and in Orff’s Carmina Burana with the Central Union Philharmonic in Beijing. He made his Carnegie Hall solo debut in Britten’s The World of the Spirit and appeared in Rome with the Orchestra Roma Symphonia in Verdi’s Requiem. He has appeared as a guest artist with the Oregon Symphony, Aspen Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Pacific Symphony, Oregon Festival of American Music, Pacific Chorale, Long Beach Opera, Pasadena Symphony, California Philharmonic, Angeles Chorale, Opera Santa Barbara, New West Symphony, Santa Barbara Symphony, Bozeman Symphony and numerous concerts with the San Diego Chamber Orchestra, Third Angle New Music Ensemble, William Hall Master Chorale, Bakersfield Symphony, California Master Chorale and the Cascade Music Festival.
The tenor, a National Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, has his B.M. from Chapman University and M.M. from the University of Southern California. At the University of Southern California, he was a Marilyn Horne Scholar and was named Most Outstanding Graduate Student from the Thornton School of Music.
Having served on the faculties of Citrus College, Irvine Valley College, University of LaVerne, and Pasadena City College, Mr. MacNeil is currently teaching at California State University, Los Angeles, Concordia University and Mt. SAC College.
Interested in Voice Lessons?
I teach all levels and experience. Please contact me for rates and information regarding private lessons with me.
Lessons are available Monday through Friday at established times during the day and evening. Weekend lessons may also be scheduled in accordance with my wait list availability, performance and travel schedules.
Studio performances, classes and other group events are scheduled by mutual convenience. These events could incur additional charges for hiring musicians or halls.
At least 24 hours notice required for cancellation. HOWEVER: I do take into consideration last minute work, emergency, audition, and performance related cancellations. I understand that many of my students are performers and need this flexibility. There is usually no problem if we can reschedule the lesson.
Reviews
"MacNeil, in a welcome unstrained tenor, neatly handled Copland's tough rhythms, and sang the quiet notes with as much intensity as the exuberant boisterous notes.
Press Enterprise
[Tenor Soloist, Copland Concert, California Chamber Orchestra]
"Robert MacNeil’s tenor rang out with authority, and although everyone’s diction was excellent, his was superior."
Long Beach Gazette.
[Tenor Soloist, Haydn Creation, Long Beach Chorale and Orchestra]
"...Robert MacNeil sang with panache..."
Opera News.
[Schmidt, Massenet, Werther, San Francisco Opera]
“Robert MacNeil was an articulate High Priest of Neptune.”
Opera News.
[Gran Sacerdote, Mozart, Idomeneo, San Francisco Opera]
"Tenor Robert Mac Neil, distinguished himself with a supple and powerful voice."
Sacramento Bee.
[Mozart, Requiem, Sacramento Choral Society, Disney Concert Hall]
"Tenor Robert MacNeil, lent a strong, soaring voice to the proceedings..."
Ventura County Star.
[Beethoven's Ninth Symphony & Bruckner's Te Deum, New West Symphony]
“...featuring a deft and rich performance by tenor Robert MacNeil”
Long Beach Press-Telegram. [South Pacific, Carmen Excerpts, California Philharmonic]
“MacNeil, his voice burnished to a perfection of clarity and strength, added immeasurably to each role he took, from Rodolfo in Boheme to the flamboyant Duke in Rigoletto."
Ventura County Star.
[Operatic Arias, New West Symphony]
“Robert MacNeil, an excellent Ruiz.”
Opera Japonica.
[Verdi, Il Trovatore, Los Angeles Opera]
“Tenor Robert MacNeil offered the biggest thrills of the evening with his sterling, pinpoint-perfect voice.”
Sacramento Bee.
[Verdi, Requiem, Sacramento Choral Society]
“Tenor Robert MacNeil has the vocal gusto to enthrall an audience. He manages flawless diction without jeopardizing the emotional intensity.”
San Diego Union Tribune.
[Handel, Messiah, San Diego Chamber Orchestra]
“Soloists included the gifted Robert MacNeil...”
Orange County Register.
[Bach, B Minor Mass, William Hall Master Chorale]
“Tenor Robert MacNeil was clear and plaintive…”
Los Angeles Times.
[Bach, B Minor Mass, William Hall Master Chorale]
“Most prominent and worth mentioning are the lead singers- Robert MacNeil, as the drifter…”
American Record Guide, CD Recording.
[Copland, The Tender Land, Third Angle New Music Ensemble]
“…sung with charm by tenor Robert MacNeil…”
Amazon.Com, Editor Review, CD Recording.
[Copland, The Tender Land, Third Angle New Music Ensemble]
“Tenor Robert MacNeil excelled in even the most difficult passage work.”
San Diego Union Tribune.
[Mozart, Requiem, San Diego Chamber Orchestra]
“The towering MacNeil, an up-and-coming figure on the operatic stage, lent a fresh and flowing tenor to the proceedings.”
Los Angeles Times.
[Handel, Messiah, New West Symphony]
“Robert MacNeil’s clarion but well-proportioned tenor contributions were notable.
Los Angeles Times.
[Mozart, Missa Brevis in C, Mainly Mozart Festival]
“MacNeil was clearly the star of the show. He summoned handsome tones.”
San Diego Union Tribune.
[Various, Concert Arias, San Diego Chamber Orchestra]
“Tenor Robert MacNeil stole the show with his brilliant, clear vocals. Every time he opened his mouth, the listener was transported.”
North County Times.
[Handel, Messiah, San Diego Chamber Orchestra]
“He seamlessly linked the melismatic strands of the 16th- notes and held the sustained notes with impressive power.”
San Diego Union Tribune.
[Handel, Messiah, San Diego Chamber Orchestra]